Rae, Beverly - Saving Mandy [Night Runner Werewolves 3] (Siren Publishing LoveXtreme Special Edition) Read Online Free PDF

a past he’d rather forget. You’re the physical representation of the worst side of him. Seeing you, acknowledging you, means he has to accept how he treated you and your mother.”
    She couldn’t help but smile. “Who are you? Lost Hill’s answer to Dr. Phil?”
    “Well, I am taking a couple of psychology classes.”
    “And I bet you’re getting As, aren’t you?”
    He chuckled. “What else would I get?”
    She wanted to keep joking with him, but the image of her father throwing a cigarette at her brought another round of misery and anger. “I wish I’d picked up that damn cigarette and snubbed it out in his face.”
    Fury swept from him and into her, surprising her with its intensity. Why did he care so much?
    “I wanted to shove it down his throat, but I didn’t want to interfere.” His jaw muscle jumped, showing his restraint.
    “You did the right thing. Although I do like your idea better than mine. Besides, I owe him a swift kick from my mother.”
    Bending over to take her suitcase, he released her, and she almost wept at the loss of his body next to hers. But her pain didn’t last long as he slid his arm around her waist and led her away from the house.
    They walked in silence, the hot Texas sun beating down on their backs. Where he led her, she didn’t know or care. She trusted him. More than she trusted everyone else except her mother. More than she trusted Decker. The realization bothered her, sending a fresh wave of guilt. How could she trust a man she’d just met? Yet, for some inexplicable reason, she did.
    Decker had forced her to take this journey on her own, without telling him she was leaving. Why hadn’t he supported her decision to go instead of refusing to discuss the trip any further?
    But she was too tired, too emotionally drained to think any longer. She dipped her head, concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other, and tried not to relive the awful moment of meeting her father.
    “Jimmy?”
    Mandy jerked up her head to find a beautiful woman, her brown hair swept away from her face, her big brown eyes regarding her with curiosity. She exuded a confidence, an understanding of her place in the world that Mandy wished she possessed.
    “Hi, Sara.”
    Sara perused her, sliding her attention over Mandy, taking in details. Mandy tugged at her shirt and hoped she looked presentable. She caught a glimpse of Jimmy.
    The woman meant a lot to him. Her stomach clenched, jealousy making a direct hit. But why should she care if Jimmy and Sara had something going on?
    “What are you doing in town?” His tone was respectful, yet it held an irritation the respect couldn’t conceal.
    “I’m just picking up a few things.” Sara reached out her hand to Mandy. “Hi. I’m Sara Hutchinson.”
    Mandy wiped her hand on her skirt and took Sara’s. “Mandy Garland .”
    A flicker of realization flashed across Sara’s face. “Any relation to Glen Garland?”
    “She’s his daughter.”
    Sara’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Really? I didn’t know he had a daughter.”
    “It’s okay. Not many people do. Although I would’ve thought in a town this size, everyone would know everyone’s business.”
    Sara laughed and waved her hand toward a cluster of homes. “Trust me. They know more than they let on. They’re watching us right now, I bet. But I haven’t lived here very long, so I’m still learning how the town’s gossip mill works.” Her gaze jumped to the road behind her, then back. “Have you seen your father yet?”
    “She did. Unfortunately, he was his usual charming self.” Jimmy shifted the suitcase to his other hand. “He slammed the door in her face.”
    Sara’s mouth dropped open. “What? You’re kidding.”
    Mandy shrugged. “I wish I was. I didn’t expect him to welcome me with open arms, but I had hoped to at least have a civil conversation with him.”
    The two shared a look Mandy couldn’t interpret. Sara took Mandy’s hand and pulled her alongside